Toronto sent Lombardi to the Coyotes on Wednesday night for a conditional draft pick and retained some of his salary, according to multiple reports. That's the first time the retain-salary provision of the new CBA has been used. That also means that Kadri, a top prospect who has yet to make an impact in the NHL, likely will begin the season with the Leafs.

Lombardi, 30, had 19 goals and 34 assists with Phoenix in 2009-10 before a concussion derailed him the next season after two games with the Nashville Predators. Toronto acquired him before the 2011-12 season, along with defenseman Cody Franson, for defenseman Brett Lebda and winger Robert Slaney. He had eight goals and 10 assists in his only season with the Leafs.

The move comes hours after Kadri, 22 and a center like Lombardi, had three goals in the first period of an intrasquad scrimmage.

"He had a good first period," coach Randy Carlyle told reporters after the game, according to the CBC. "(He) scored three goals in the first period. They were power-play goals but goal-scorers' goals. He found a way to get the puck to the net. But I didn't think the second and third period were quite as effective obviously."

Carlyle also praised Kadri for his face-off work. The seventh overall pick in 2009 has eight goals and 11 assists in 48 games.

"We have to make a decision whether he can continue to make a contributions at the NHL level," Carlyle said.

Kadri is as skilled a forward prospect as the Leafs have and has added weight to his 6-0 frame. Toronto, meanwhile, is without a true No. 1 center despite the presence of All-Star wingers Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. Tyler Bozak and Mikhail Grabovski are as close as it gets on their roster.